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Rox recalling Pomeranz for opener with Marlins

Rox recalling Pomeranz for opener with Marlins

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Pomeranz's season debut 1:04

6/30/13: Drew Pomeranz records five strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings of four-run ball in his season debut against the Giants

By Thomas Harding
/
MLB.com |

DENVER -- Not that it's been a secret, but manager Walt Weiss made it official Sunday that left-hander Drew Pomeranz (0-3, 8.76 ERA in three starts) will start Monday night in the opener of four games with the Marlins.

Pomeranz will be officially recalled from Double-A Tulsa for the start.

In the three starts for the Rockies this year, Pomeranz has repeatedly fallen behind hitters -- something he'll have to correct to stay in the Majors. The Rockies obtained righty Armando Galarraga in a trade with the Reds last Monday, and Galarraga made his Triple-A Colorado Springs debut on Sunday. The Rockies also have former Mets righty Collin McHugh at Colorado Springs.

After a rough start in Los Angeles before the break, the Rockies sent Pomeranz to Double-A for a start. The numbers were rough -- seven earned runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings against Northwest Arkansas. It was during that game that he added a slider to his pitch mix to make him more competitive against right-handed hitters, who have blistered him at a .436 clip in his Major League outings.

"He'll throw some sliders, but I don't know if it'll be a big factor -- it's a pitch that's just been introduced to him," Weiss said. "I don't think he'll rely on it heavily. Hopefully, in time, that will become a nice weapon for him.

"It comes down to command, like it does pretty much with everybody. If you don't get strike one and you're in bad counts, it's really tough to pitch in this league. It's hard to say why his command hasn't been as good as it could be, but that's the key for him."

To make room for Pomeranz on the active roster, the Rockies will option infielder Josh Rutledge to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Rutledge was the Opening Day second baseman, but he struggled and was sent down in May. He returned in June when shortstop Troy Tulowitzki suffered a broken rib but didn't produce offensively, and is hitting .211 with six home runs and 16 RBIs in 67 Major League games.

DJ LeMahieu (hitting .268 with one home run and 12 RBIs) has seen most of the action at second base recently.